22 THE TURF 



jockey ; for every race this jockey rode he would 

 be paid in the ordinary course of events, in addition 

 to his retaining fee, three guineas for a losing mount, 

 and five guineas for a win. The owner who had the 

 first call on him would of course only utilise his 

 services on occasions ; at many meetings he would 

 have no horses running, and that would leave the 

 jockey free to accept other mounts. As a matter 

 of fact, large sums are paid for second and third claims 

 on a successful jockey. One of the leading horsemen 

 now riding not long since refused ^1,500 a year for a 

 second claim. It will be seen what handsome rewards 

 await success in this profession, and it may also be 

 judged how rare is the combination of qualities which 

 ensure it. A jockey must have in the first place a 

 very accurate knowledge of pace ; he must know how 

 fast his horse is going, so that, though at times in 

 front, he may still be " waiting " ; he must also be able 

 to sum up at a glance what the other horses in a 

 race are doing, what, in fact, they have left in them for 

 the finish. He must have patience, and at the same 

 time must ride with resolution, noting the psycho- 

 logical moment when his effort has to be made. If he 

 waits too long he will be beaten, and if he comes too 

 soon he may exhaust his horse just before the post is 

 reached. When it is considered what success in a 

 great race means, the mere difference of the few inches, 

 by which the horse just wins or just loses, will be 

 appreciated ; races on the flat may be worth any sum 



